St. Louis Rams Roster 2012: Latest News, Cuts, Preseason Predictions

St. Louis Rams Roster 2012: Latest News, Cuts, Preseason Predictions

The St. Louis Rams began training camp on Sunday, July 29, and the grueling Missouri summer heat will whip the team into shape by the end of August.

The franchise is looking to mold a roster in Jeff Fisher's image, which naturally consists of hard-nosed defense and a punishing run game.

Many of the long shots will crack under the pressure and will be forced to watch the games on television, like the rest of us.

But those who step up to the challenge will suit up for the season opener in Detroit and will be trusted with the responsibility of rejuvenating a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2003.

Before we know who will play and who will go home, the roster will be put under a microscope over the next month.

This article will track the various roster moves over the next several weeks and will provide you with a position-by-position look at the 2012 Rams.

Latest Roster Moves

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7/29/2012: The St. Louis Rams kicked off their first day of training camp by signing star defensive end Chris Long to a four-year contract extension. It was later revealed that the extension will pay him $57.75 million over the next five years (according to NFL.com).

Last 5 in

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QB Tom Brandstater has been bounced around the NFL since 2009 and has been repeatedly cut from NFL rosters. Austin Davis is looking like a lock for the third-string quarterback job.

FB Ben Guidugli converted to fullback from tight end and will greatly struggle to make the roster since the Rams have returning starter Britt Miller and former Pro Bowler Ovie Mughelli already on the roster.

LB Jamie Childers is last in a line of seven outside linebackers trying to make the squad. Unless his special teams play is remarkable, he's a long shot at best.

WR Nick Johnson has nine wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. 2011 starter Brandon Gibson will have enough trouble making the roster, which means someone like Johnson barely stands a chance.

T Jose Valdez is limited in his ability to contribute on special teams, like most offensive linemen, so it will be hard to justify handing him a roster spot. Although, he could find a spot on the practice squad with a remarkable camp performance.

Last 5 out

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TE Jamie Childers was cut from the roster on Thursday, August 16, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In Childers' place, the team added wide receivers Charles Gilbert and Brandyn Harvey.

Steven Jackson turned 29 years old a week before training camp began, but the Pro Bowler and face of the franchise will be expected to turn in another productive year and perhaps his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season.

But Jackson's age cannot be ignored, which is why the Rams used a second-round draft pick on speedster Isaiah Pead, who will carry a portion of the load every week.

Daryl Richardson, who the Rams drafted in the seventh round last April, is expected to be the third running back and will be a special teams asset.

Calvin Middleton is a bruising runner and is the only other running back who has a shot at making the team.

At fullback, the Rams signed 2010 Pro Bowler Ovie Mughelli in free agency and will likely keep him as the team's only fullback.

The St. Louis Rams struggled to produce on offense during the 2011 season, and a major cause of that was a group of mediocre wide receivers.

The team used draft picks on Brian Quick (second round) and Chris Givens (fourth round), while also signing former Pro Bowler Steve Smith in free agency. All three players are expected to make the squad.

Danny Amendola was lost during the team's 2011 season opener against Philadelphia thanks to an elbow injury, but his return is expected to have a big impact on the offense.

Greg Salas and Austin Pettis are two mid-round draft picks from a year ago. Salas is generating a lot of hype, while Pettis will struggle to make the roster.

Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander will fight for the final roster spot.

Alexander is clearly the better receiver, but a chronic knee condition may force the Rams to stick with the more dependable Gibson.

Robert Turner has only started two games in his five-year career, but all five of his NFL seasons have been under Brian Schottenheimer in New York, so he's acquainted with the offense and will be the backup center.

Tim Barnes and rookie T-Bob Herbert will struggle to make the roster, but both players are ideal candidates for the practice squad.

The St. Louis Rams signed Chris Long to a four-year contract extension worth $57.75 million at the beginning of training camp (according to NFL.com).

Long is coming off a 13-sack season and is expected to be one of the few elite players on the team in 2012.

Robert Quinn recorded 5.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011 and put up those numbers in very limited playing time. If he didn't lose playing time as a result of his poor run defense, then he realistically could have had a double-digit sack season as a rookie.

If there's one thing the Rams will do well in 2012, it's getting after the quarterback. And it will continue to be a team strength as long as Long and Quinn are rushing the edge.

As far as depth, veteran William Hayes will provide valuable behind Long and Quinn in the No. 3 role, while Sims will look to finally establish himself under the new coaching staff.

One of the more low-key signings for the St. Louis Rams during free agency was Jo-Lonn Dunbar of the New Orleans Saints.

The 27-year-old Dunbar is entering his prime and has started 22 games over the last two seasons, including 14 starts in 2011.

At 226 pounds, Dunbar is undersized but is capable of playing both outside linebacker positions. His coverage skills are also superior to the other linebackers on the team (other than James Laurinaitis).

Rocky McIntosh, another pickup in free agency, has a shot at being the weak-side starter due to his previous success in the 4-3 defense during his time in Washington.

Mario Haggan will fight for a starting job and could ultimately succeed, but he'll certainly provide depth not only as a linebacker, but as an emergency defensive end.

The Rams will also be looking to retain one of their rookie linebackers to groom for the future, and Sammy Brown is the most promising youngster with his impressive pass-rush skills.

They may keep a second rookie for the practice squad, and that spot would likely go to Aaron Brown or Alex Hoffman-Ellis.

Middle Linebackers

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MLBs on roster: James Laurinaitis, Josh Hull, Noah Keller

Projected starter: James Laurinaitis

Offseason additions: Noah Keller

Roster cuts: None

Projected final roster: James Laurinaitis, Josh Hull

If James Laurinaitis were playing for a playoff-caliber team, then he'd likely be a two-time Pro Bowler at this point. But since he's with the St. Louis Rams, he's overlooked by the league.

However, while others may be unaware of his value, the Rams appreciate his contributions and depend on him as the leader of the defense.

The improvements at outside linebacker and defensive tackle will allow Laurinaitis to piece together his best season to date, at least in theory.

Josh Hull will be entering his third year and is expected to be Laurinaitis' backup. He'll also carry some value as a special teams contributor.

Noah Keller is a camp body who will look to establish himself on special teams, but his chances of making the roster are slim.

Many people assume that Jeff Fisher beefed up the cornerback position because of the multiple injuries that occurred last season.

While that's partially true, Fisher also realizes that the St. Louis Rams have two defensive ends that can effectively get to the quarterback. He knows that if the secondary can buy them just another second of coverage, then the quarterback will pay for it.

Fisher put the secondary through a complete makeover. As a result, Chris Long and Robert Quinn are extremely grateful.

Janoris Jenkins is an elite talent who will develop into a shutdown corner if he remains focused. On the opposite side, the Rams have one of the better corners in the NFL in Cortland Finnegan.

Bradley Fletcher is the No. 3 corner and has experience as a full-time starter. He is very effective when healthy.

Josh Gordy was forced into a starting role last season after numerous injuries. He excelled with three interceptions and 43 tackles.

Rookie third-round pick Trumaine Johnson and third-year pro Jerome Murphy will sit at the bottom of the depth chart, but both players are more than capable of contributing if needed.

The Rams have six extremely talented cornerbacks, which will make it very difficult for Kendric Burney and Jeremy Caldwell to get noticed. Both players have almost no chance at making the roster unless there's an injury.

Last year, Quintin Mikell was signed to a four-year deal worth $27 million (according to Spotrac) and was considered to be the St. Louis Rams' top addition in free agency.

Mikell was one of the better players on defense last season, but he was hardly the same Pro Bowl player he was in Philadelphia.

Now that Mikell is playing in a new defensive scheme under Jeff Fisher, it's difficult to gauge where he stands and how much he'll be valued in the new defense.

But even if the new coaches aren't as optimistic regarding Mikell's abilities, he's still expected to be the top safety on the team.

Playing next to Mikell is Darian Stewart. Stewart was an undrated rookie in 2010 and has done nothing but improve since arriving in St. Louis, so he'll be expected to continue that trend in 2012.

Craig Dahl has been getting reps with the first-team defense at training camp this year (according to Mike Sando of ESPN), but it would be shocking if he was a Week 1 starter, especially with his horrendous pass defense.

Dahl will likely be the third and final safety on the roster. Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Jerome Murphy are capable of moving up top if needed, so there's no reason to keep more than three safeties.

Matt Daniels is an undrated rookie and has been generating a lot of buzz leading up to training camp, but the practice squad is probably a best case scenario for him.

The return game is particularly interesting because it's been a long time since the St. Louis Rams have had so many talented options for kick and punt return duties.

Danny Amendola's return abilities were a major part of the offense in 2010, and he'll be relied on once again in 2012.

Amendola is dependable and capable of fighting for extra yards, but he lacks elite speed and will struggle to take a kick back for a score.

Perhaps, the Rams will keep the dependable Amendola on kick return duties, but save punt returns for a more explosive talent, such as Janoris Jenkins.

Kickoffs are typically fielded in the end-zone, which means the returner needs to take it over 100 yards for a score. But punts leave a shorter field, which is why the Rams should keep their most explosive runner on punt returns.

If Amendola and Jenkins are too important at their natural positions and the team doesn't want to risk injury, then Isaiah Pead and Chris Givens are two effective replacements.